January/February 2013 Family Matters Newsletter

FamilyMattersVolume 23, No. 1 • JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2013

HOmE-BaSED SERViCES FOR SEniORS

Pulling Gebru Out of Depression Story of Hope page 6

Program Spotlight page 4

KaTHlEEn STOllE Volunteer Spotlight page 8

REEl HOPE 2012Annual Film Benefit Wrapup page 12

A PuBlICATIoN oF

Dear Friends, I frequently hear supporters say that they see Jewish Family Service as an organization that serves only “the needy”—those who are living in poverty. JFS is so much more. Yes, we serve people who are struggling financially by providing emergency funds, food, employment assistance, and case management. our Family Safety Net program and the Weinberg Food Pantry help thousands of people in crisis. But it is one program of many. JFS is here for everyone, including you. We exist not only to serve the needy, but to serve anyone who has a need. And we all have needs. I want to change how you think about Jewish Family Service. I want you to think about JFS when you or one of your friends has a child with behavioral issues who is struggling in school. I want you to think about JFS when you or a family member suffers from anxiety or depression. or, when you have an aging parent and need advice about taking away the car keys or placing them in an assisted-living facility. I want you to think about JFS when you or one of your friends suffers a loss. or, when you or someone you know gives birth to a child with special needs.

JFS has enormous expertise to help you handle any life challenge. our mental health counselors are some of the most qualified and experienced in the region. The JFS Senior Solutions staff is extremely knowledgeable about gerontology issues and is familiar with every resource available to older adults. JFS is regarded as one of Denver’s top point-of-entries to access services for people with special needs. If the agency can’t help you, we’ll refer you to someone who can. JFS is right here—in your own backyard—ready and willing to help you. Please use us.

B’shalom,

Yana Vishnitsky, LCSW President & CEO

2 FAmIlY mATTeRS JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2013

JFSYour

Yana Vishnitsky

Cover photo: Gebru Ghilhe holds a photo of his family, while JFS staff members Janet Haile and Cathy Wellwood look on in the background. See the Story of Hope on page 6. (Photo by Chris Schneider.)

Jewish Family Service of Colorado (JFS) believes in strengthening the community by providing vital services to people in need. Every day, JFS helps people overcome life’s challenges to live fuller, more meaningful lives. Founded in 1872, JFS is a nonsectarian, nonprofit human services agency serving metro Denver and Boulder. JFS helps seniors live inde-pendently at home, provides quality mental health counseling, offers training and job placement to those with barriers to employment, and provides food and financial aid to people in crisis. Every year, the agency benefits more than 20,000 people of all ages, faiths, and incomes. For more information, call 303.597.5000 or visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org.

FAmIlY mATTeRS JANuARY/FeBRuARY 2013 3

Tricia Downing

An easy way to help JFS serve those in need is by cleaning out your closets! Your donation of gently used clothing, shoes, and household items through Healing minds generates funds that support the mental health programs at JFS and subsidize the cost of counseling services for our clients. Schedule a home pickup online at www.healingmindspickup.org or by calling 303.232.4483.

ClEan OuT yOuR ClOSETS to Help JFS!

The Jewish Disabilities Network (JDN) will host the fifth annual Jewish Disabilities Awareness Day and Family Resource Fair on Sunday, January 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the Robert e. loup Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia Street. The event, which is free and open to the public, promotes understanding and inclusion in community life for Jewish people with dis-abilities. The goals of the day are to increase awareness in both the Jewish and the general community of the abilities and contributions of people with special needs, to honor those who care for people with disabilities, and to provide valuable resources for families and caregivers. Attendees will enjoy an inspiring keynote presentation by Tricia Downing, author of Cycle of Hope, whose life was changed forever in an instant. While training on her bicycle on a sunny Colorado afternoon in September 2000, Tricia collided with a car that turned directly in her path, and she became paralyzed from the chest down. Tricia went from being a competitive cyclist to a paraplegic requiring a wheelchair for mobility. Through her experiences in both rehab and racing, Tricia has overcome adversity and learned what it takes to perform at the top of her game. Having made the transition from able-bodied cyclist to an athlete with a disability, Tricia knows the true meaning of the words challenge and change, and has learned a wealth of lessons to deal with

the obstacles we all face in reaching for our personal goals. In addition to the keynote presentation, participants can attend a resource fair and meet with representatives from a variety of organiza-tions that provide services for people with special needs in the areas of employment, estate planning, disability trusts, job training, education, advocacy, socialization, respite, and more. Families can also participate in a collaborative art project for all abilities and enjoy a kosher dessert reception catered by Shalom Cares. JDN is comprised of Jewish orga-nizations dedicated to addressing the needs of Jewish people with special needs of all kinds and their families. It is a collaborative program of Jewish Family Service of Colorado, its SHAlom Denver work center, Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, Keshet of the Rockies, and the Robert e. loup Jewish Community Center. Visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/JDAD for more event details. RSVP online by January 21 or contact Inna ermakov at 303.623.0251, [email protected]. If you would like to attend and need specific accom-modations at the event, please note that on your RSVP form or contact Inna.

FiFTH annual JEwiSH DiSaBiliTiES awaREnESS Day anD Family RESOuRCE FaiR iS JanuaRy 27


Home-Based Services for Seniors

PROGRam SpotlightAs our population continues to age at a rapid rate, a priority for Jewish Family Service is to provide affordable services to help older adults remain safely in their homes. Through our home-based services department of JFS Senior Solutions, we employ 11 home care providers who provide light housekeeping, companionship, shopping, and errands for 225 clients. Through this program, we serve people who need extra support so they can maintain independence in their living environment. The majority of these clients are seniors, including 11 Holocaust survivors, but we also serve adults suffering from illnesses such as HIV and cancer, and people with disabilities. Thanks to generous grants from a variety of sources, about two-thirds of these clients receive these weekly or biweekly services

for free; the rest pay a minimal amount on a sliding-fee scale. We’ve recently been able to see more clients and even provide some with vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Ron Crowell, home-based services coordinator, talks about the importance of the services we offer to this population. “Not only does the work allow clients to stay in their homes, but the social contact from their regular visits is all that some of them have. The clients look forward to seeing their care provider regularly and, in some cases, that human interaction is more important than the housekeeping support.” The care providers often form close bonds with the people they serve, which can be difficult when the clients pass away. Ron conducts quarterly meetings with all JFS homemakers to address issues that come up, and he plans to talk about how to handle grief

and death in an upcoming session. Judieth elrod, a care provider who has worked with JFS for more than seven years, grew up in monrovia, liberia, and says it is part of her culture to take care of elders. “I treat all my clients like they’re my grandparents and I feel obligated to give back to them and society as a whole,” she explains. “I try to go beyond what is expected when I serve them and really appreciate all my clients. I hope that someone will be able to do the same for me when I am older.”L to R (front): Wendy Rodriguez, Judieth Elrod, Melody Wells,

Norma Hernandez, Rachael Tury; (second row): Seante Lapczynski-West, Noel Martinez, Angelica Garcia, Linda Paulsen; (back): Ron Crowell; not pictured: Margaret Perez.


Rachel Tury has been a home care provider with JFS for about six months and says, “It’s not a typical cleaning job—the clients hang out with me as I work and show so much gratitude. I feel like I have helped make their day brighter and it’s really a fulfilling way to spend my day.” Rachel is getting her master’s degree in environmental science and teaches some undergraduate labs at the university of Colorado at Denver, so she appreciates that this job fits with her school schedule.

Ron is a proud supervisor and comments, “The current group of home care providers is the best group I have worked with since I started at JFS seven years ago. The care managers and I get so many calls from clients to compliment the homecare providers and thank us for their invaluable help. Supervising such a great team makes my job a real pleasure!”

This program is funded by Broadway Cares/Equity HIV/AIDS Fund, Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG)/AAA, the Jay and Rose Phillips Foundation, Rose Community Foundation, Ryan White CARE Act, and the Walter and Elizabeth Lipe Trust.

“The clients look forward to seeing their care provider regularly and, in some cases, that human interaction is more important than the house-keeping support.”

—Ron Crowell

Rafael Spiritual Healing Services, a program of the JFS Counseling Center and Jewish Community Chaplaincy of Jewish Family Service, will offer a bereavement support group for people who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The group will be held Wednesdays, January 30 through march 20. This unique eight-session group not only supports people through the process of grieving but also fosters connections with self, faith, and community by integrating Jewish traditions and rituals. The group will be cofacilitated by Rabbi eliot Baskin, D.min., Jewish community chaplain, and Arleen Gershen, lCSW, a JFS psychotherapist. For more information or to register, contact Arleen Gershen at 720.248.4598 or [email protected].

SPiRiTual HEalinG BEREaVEmEnT GROuP Begins January 30


Gebru Ghilhe, 29, has experienced his share of struggles. He grew up in eritrea, where the government made it hard for him to lead his life and help his siblings. He fled to ethiopia about six years ago, where he entered a refugee camp and spent the next four years. It was there that he met his wife and started a family. In 2011, an opportunity arose to come to the united States as a refugee. Seeking a better life for his family, he applied and was resettled in Denver in July 2011. But he couldn’t bring his wife and young son because his wife didn’t have refugee status.

Gebru soon became very depressed and worried constantly about the family he had left behind. He needed to focus on how he could get them to Denver,

but had no idea how. He sought help from the resettlement agency that brought him here, but they weren’t able to help. Gebru explains through an interpreter, “I was in a very threatening situation because I wasn’t mentally stable. I worried about my family and I couldn’t

lead my life. I could’ve chosen not to live. I had lost all hope.” A refugee clinic in lowry referred him to Jewish Family Service’s Refugee mental Health Department. Gebru began seeing Cathy Wellwood, Refugee mental Health coordinator, on a weekly basis. Janet Haile, Refugee mental Health administrative assistant who is also

from eritrea, translates during their sessions. “After Cathy learned about my situation and how much I needed to bring my family here, she said she could help and I regained hope,” says Gebru. Cathy explains that resettlement programs expect refugees to become self-sufficient within eight months of arriving in the u.S. That’s eight months to get a job, find a place to live, learn english, and figure out the bus system. This time frame added more pressure to Gebru’s situation when he was already dealing with the painful separation from his family. “When I first came, I was so depressed that I slept most of the day and wasted a lot of time,” says Gebru. “I feel like I could have ac-complished a lot more if I wasn’t so upset.” He was able to find a job at a car wash and took english classes at emily Griffith opportunity School. He also rented an apartment with other refugees. In February 2012, he secured a job as a dishwasher at a downtown restaurant, where he works 35 to 40 hours per week. Because of his demanding work schedule, he couldn’t continue his english classes, but is gradually learning the language. “I can understand most conversations at work, but have trouble responding back,” Gebru says. “But I am making friends there and we speak to each other in broken english.” on the surface it sounds like Gebru was adjusting well to life in Denver. However, he constantly worried about his wife and son and how he could reunite his family. That’s where Cathy from JFS stepped in. Since she isn’t experienced in immigration law, she contacted several law firms for help. maya Wilbourn, an immigration attorney at Stern & Curray, is helping in the pro bono case to get Gebru’s wife and son to the u.S. “Helping

Pulling Gebru Out of DepressionSTORy of Hope

“I’m very grateful for Cathy and Janet—they pulled me out of darkness.”—Gebru Ghilhe


people like Gebru is what makes my job so fulfilling,” says maya. “Refugees like Gebru struggle to get to refugee camps and give up everything to get to the u.S. It was the least I could do to help reunite Gebru with his wife and two-year-old son.” Cathy has worked diligently to help him through the long, complicated process of getting all the necessary documents together to apply for his family to come to Denver. “one thing that’s been difficult is that ethiopia is on a different calendar that is eight years behind ours, so we had to translate all the dates on their marriage certificate and other paperwork from his years at the refugee camp,” Cathy explains. He recently went through the final step of submitting all the documents to bring his family here and he should have a decision within three months. Gebru says, “The lawyers are hopeful that they can bring my family here, which has raised my hopes. But, I am still sleepless until they get here.” Gebru’s wife calls him every day to ask when she can come to the u.S., and he assures her that they are getting closer. Cathy continues to help Gebru with counseling and case management services. She provided a referral to a vocational reha-bilitation program for refugees to help him move out of his minimum-wage job and gave him information about a new refugee health clinic opening near his apartment. “When his family arrives, there are many other services we can provide to help his whole family with the adjustment to a new country,” says Cathy. Gebru says with a big smile, “The minute

my wife and child arrive, I will introduce them to Cathy and Janet—they have been part of my family here and I want my wife to see who has been helping me! I’m very grateful for Cathy and Janet—they pulled me out of darkness. I am a completely different person from when I arrived in Denver in 2011. In spite of my anxiety about my family situation, I am much happier and have hope.”

Update as of press time: We just found out the Refugee/Asylee Relative Petition submitted for Gebru’s wife and son was approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service. They both have refugee status now. There are several more steps in the process, but this is the big hurdle. Maya will guide us through the rest of the process until they can travel to Denver. We do not know the time frame yet, but Gebru is overjoyed and we will update you with more on this story in future publications.

L to R: Janet Haile, Gebru Ghilhe, Cathy Wellwood Photo: Chris Schneider


Kathleen Stolle’s strong desire to volunteer started when she served in the Peace Corps in Albania and morocco from 1995 to 1998. When she returned to the united States,

she knew that volunteering needed to be a part of her life. She volunteered in Boston while studying for her master’s degree in creative writing from emerson College, but then, “after several years, I let work take over and wasn’t involved in volunteering,”

says Kathleen. “my life felt out of balance and I missed having that community connection, so I decided to make time for it again.” In 2011, Kathleen came to JFS to find a volunteer opportunity that fit her skills and interests. “There are a lot of organizations in

Denver that I could have chosen, but I knew that JFS had a great reputation and I wanted to be associated with that agency,” says Kathleen. At first she wasn’t sure what type of volunteer opportunity she was seeking, but she wanted to work with refugees or the elderly. As she told Nancy Benyamin, director of volunteer services, about her time in the Peace Corps, experience tutoring international students in english, and current profession as an editor of english language learning books, Nancy looked for ways Kathleen could put those skills to good use. “When I was living abroad, everyone was so patient, generous, and kind to me,” says Kathleen. “I feel like it is my duty to pay it forward to people new to our culture.” Nancy says, “It took awhile to find the perfect fit for Kathleen—I wanted to place

her with our citizenship clients or in the Refugee mental Health department. Kathleen was very patient while we worked on finding a good match.” It was worth the wait. In June 2012, Kathleen was matched with a group of five Bhutanese refugee women who all live in an apartment building on east Colfax. She makes weekly trips to their building to teach them english. “The objective is to get them to be proficient enough in english that they feel comfortable banking, shopping, using the library, and doing other essential

Kathleen Stolle (right) teaches her students names of foods in English.

Kathleen Stolle VOlunTEER Spotlight

“I feel like it is my duty to pay it forward to people new to our culture.”—Kathleen Stolle


life tasks.” Between developing lesson plans, teaching the women, and taking them out to practice the language, Kathleen spends about four hours each week as a volunteer. The first time Kathleen met with them, there was a translator, and she thought communica-tion would be very difficult. “But when there’s a will, there’s a way,” she laughs. “After our first class, it worked out fine and we have found ways to communicate. one woman has a nine-year-old daughter who is more fluent than the women and sometimes steps in to help.” The women, who range in age from their mid-20s to early 70s, also vary in their english skills. For example, one was a beginner and Kathleen needed to start by teaching the alphabet. Three women are interested in going to college and want to focus on academic english, such as reading and writing. Kathleen recently divided the women into two groups to accommodate their skill levels. Two of the younger women, Hari and lachhi, recently got jobs working as house-keepers at Children’s Hospital. “Kathleen is really good at teaching and everyone’s learning from her,” Hari says. “I like when we go to the grocery store and learn how to use the computer.” lachhi adds, “Kathleen helps us and we are improving. She teaches us nicely and I am practicing english at my new job.” “I try to make my lessons as practical as possible,” says Kathleen. “I bring a white board, books, and handouts to aid in my lessons, and we’ll find appropriate visual aids, such as kitchen utensils, in the apartment to describe what we’re learning that day.” Kathleen also takes the women to the grocery store and library to practice asking and answering questions in english. She recently hosted a party so they could experience an American house party. She is also planning to

take the women to a museum for a cultural experience. “I struggled with language acquisition while traveling in the Peace Corps and can identify with what these women are going through,” says Kathleen. “It makes me feel good to know that maybe I’m helping them feel more comfortable with english. I also feel like this work has given me a chance to repay the universe for all the good things I received when living abroad!”

For more information about volunteer opportunities at JFS, please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/volunteer or contact Nancy Benyamin at 720.248.4642 or [email protected].

Kathleen and one of the women going over food names.Photos: Chris Schneider

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Keeping Your Amazing Brain Mindful and Attentive

mEnTal HEalTH MattersBy Yelena Avramenko, PhD.Psychotherapist, Jewish Family Service

In my work as a psychotherapist, I have a long-standing interest in integrating brain research data and principles of eastern psychology in therapy. I help my clients use mindfulness in managing difficult and intense emotions. It is said that the human brain is the most complex and sophisticated structure in the universe. The complexity that lets us see, hear, learn, remember, think, and feel is mainly based on the connections that its

neurons make. Which connections remain, and which do not, depends on whether they stay busy and carry information. Connections that are used become stronger; connections that are not used weaken and die. With new developments in brain research, we now know that the adult brain has the ability not only to repair damaged brain regions, but also to grow new neurons. It can change the function of old neurons and assign new functions. Specialized intensive therapy has restored motor function to patients

who had a stroke as long as 45 years before, and seems to be applicable to at least 75% of the stroke population. Another stroke study showed brain reorganization resulting from hard work in language recovery. In his mindfulness-based, cognitive-behav-ioral approach to work with obsessive-compul-sive disorder (oCD) patients, Jeffrey Schwartz has shown for the first time that therapy alone (without the use of drugs, and largely self-directed) has the power to change faulty brain chemistry—to alter the metabolism of the oCD circuit. We literally can change our brain with the power of our mind.

These physical changes in the brain depend on a mental state called “attention.” Although experience shapes the brain, it shapes only the attentive brain. It has now become clear that the state of attention produces physical change in the brain’s structure and future functioning. Today we use this knowledge in the treatment of anxiety, depression, oCD, posttrau-matic stress disorder (PTSD), and even character disorders. With the power of mindful attention, we can learn how to better cope with a variety of life challenges, such as chronic illness, loss, pain, divorce, work-related stress, or the antici-patory anxiety of dental appointments. We can train our brain to live a happier life. While much more can be said on the subject of the brain and mindfulness, below are a few ways that you can develop new connections in your brain to keep it active and attentive:• Introduce novelty that will challenge and

even frustrate you, such as writing with your non-dominant hand, brushing your teeth with the opposite hand, or learning a new dance that makes your body move in a different way.

• Break routine by taking a different route to work or shopping in a different grocery store so you have to learn your way around it.

• learn a new language or musical instrument.• Spend three to five minutes sitting quietly.

Keep your attention on your breath and observe your thoughts without allowing your mind to engage in them or wander.

To schedule an appointment with Yelena or another JFS therapist, contact the JFS Counseling Center at 303.597.7777.

Yelena Avramenko, PhD. is a psychotherapist at Jewish Family Service of Colorado, spe-cializing in mindfulness-based treatment of anxiety, depression, and trauma. She grew up in Ukraine where she received her MA and PhD. in psychology. In 1998, she moved to the United States and in 2001 joined JFS.

Yelena Avramenko

By Cathy Grimm, LCSW Director of JFS Senior Solutions and JFS at Home

To drive or not to drive—That is a question facing many older adults, their families, friends, and the professionals who support and guide them. many family members ask, “Do I have the right or the responsibility to get involved?” Here are some things to consider. our society has a fairly negative image of aging and the older driver. But statistics show that mature drivers are not involved in a dispro-portionate number of motor vehicle accidents. Aging drivers actually become more conserva-tive on the road—driving less often at night, taking fewer long distance trips, and avoiding driving in unfamiliar areas or in risky situations. Yet we do observe a few drivers who appear to hold on to their driver’s license too long. This is a problem because older drivers are more likely to die or become seriously injured in a crash, and are more apt to be involved in multi-vehicle crashes that affect others. Here are eight signs of decline in driving skill: 1. A pattern of close calls, violations, or

collisions, even if they are minor.2. Consistent and increasing difficulty in

managing a vehicle on the road. Symptoms might include difficulty noticing pedestrians, signs, objects, or other vehicles; being surprised by passing cars; braking hard for hazards, stop signs, or stopped traffic; running red lights or stop signs; turning too fast or too slow; backing into or over objects; or running over curbs.

3. observable decline in physical abilities: difficulty in coordinating hand and foot movements; worsening discomfort from glare of oncoming headlights; difficulty in turning head, neck, and shoulders; slowed or erratic reactions; or difficulty in keeping the car in a lane.

4. Visible change in emotions, such as increased anxiety behind the wheel or increased anger or frustration.

5. Rapid onset of fatigue from driving.6. Discernible decline in mental abilities.7. Increasing confrontations with

other drivers.8. medical conditions that may

directly, or as a result of medications, impair driving.

If you notice some or all of these signs in your loved one, it is time to have a conversation about letting someone else do the driving. our geriatric care managers can help guide this conversation. Contact JFS Senior Solutions at 303.597.5000 for more information.

As director of JFS Senior Solutions and JFS at Home, Cathy Grimm develops and implements programs and services for the senior community. Cathy has served JFS since 1995 and is a recognized expert in the field of aging. Prior to joining the agency, Cathy held positions with the Mental Health Corporation of Denver, Garden Terrace Nursing Home, Denver Probate Court, and Veterans Adminis-tration Medical Center.


Cathy Grimm

SEniORS Matter To Drive or Not to Drive? Support for Mature Drivers

Congratulations to Bari Belinsky, SHALOM Denver work services manager, who is celebrating her 25th anniversary in February!

STaFFAnniversaries


Supporters Packed the Ellie Caulkins Opera House for JFS’S 17TH annual mOViE FunDRaiSER

Last month, Jewish Family Service supporters hit the red carpet at the ellie Caulkins opera House for Reel Hope 2012, the agency’s annual film benefit. more than 500 attendees celebrated with honorees Elaine and Max Appel and Betsy Mordecai Heyman and Gareth Heyman and enjoyed a screening of the yet-to-be-released historical drama Emperor. We

were privileged to have the producer, Gary Foster, introduce the film. During the cocktail hour before the program, guests posed for photos on the red carpet, sipped “upside-Down Hanukkah Bushes,” the signature cocktail for the

event, dined on lavish hors d’oeuvres prepared by Kevin Taylor, and enjoyed jazz music by Cherry Creek High School senior Ian levy. Thank you to Gareth and Betsy for purchasing reloadable King Soopers cards for everyone who attended! each card held $10 so people could “get a free cup of coffee or a

few gallons of gas,” as Gareth explained from the podium. People can then reload the cards and five percent of their grocery purchases will come back to JFS. Thanks to co-chairs David and Terry Appel, Joel Appel, Dan and Carla Bartell, Dan and Amy Feldman, Adam lipsius and linda Appel lipsius, and Steven and mindy Peckar for their roles in making the event a success! Thank you to Steven Peckar for serving as a wonderful emcee. The hard work of our outstanding co-chairs, committee, honorees, and staff made the event a huge hit. And a big thanks to Janet mordecai who generously provided a $25,000 match, allowing us to raise $50,000 additional funds during the event. In the end, Reel Hope raised $432,000. our heartfelt thanks to all the wonderful community-minded individuals and organizations that support the agency through this event! Please visit www.jewishfamilyservice.org/reelhope to view Reel Hope 2012 photos, the heartfelt video shown at the event, and a copy of the tribute journal.

Elaine and Max Appel light the Hanukkah menorah at the beginning of Reel Hope.

Gareth Heyman, Yana Vishnitsky, and Betsy Mordecai Heyman.Photos: Chris Schneider


PRoDuCERS: $25,000David and Terry Appel, Joel Appel,

Amy and Dan Feldman, linda Appel lipsius and Adam lipsius

elaine and max AppelSteve and elizabeth KrisJoyce Zeff

PRoDuCTIoN MANAGERS: $10,000marshall and Helene AbrahamsJack and Celeste Grynberg

morevents – Betsy mordecai Heyman and Gareth Heyman

Brent and Julie morseThe Piton FoundationPhil and elle Winn

DIRECToRS: $5,000AlbertsonsThe Chotin FoundationColoradoBiz magazineKen and Rebecca GartWill and Sherri GoldCharlie Gwirtsman and Dr. Nancy

ReichmanThe libby Anschutz Brown Foundationotten Johnson Robinson Neff +

Ragonetti PCPluss Family Foundation

eric and ellen PollockStanton and Jane e. RosenbaumGary and Teresa Yourtz

CASTING DIRECToRS: $2,500Argonaut Wine & liquorsBrownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, llPCCFIN INC. – Proprietary Capital llCDavid and Vicky DanskyDependable CleanersTerry Fenner and Dawn RichardFirst Western Trust BankDavid and michelle FriedmanGreen manning & Bunch, ltd.marty and marie HerzogJulian Izbiky and Jennifer RothschildJSF Financial, llCJanet mordecaiRobert and Robyn NaimanNational Jewish Healthoak Tree Foundationmichael opatowski and Ruth malmanJulius and Rose PlussChet and louise SchwartzSeff Group, P.C.umB Bank Colorado

ASSoCIATE PRoDuCERS: $1,500Gary and Donna AntonoffApplejack liquorsStephen and Paula AxelrodBrian and elise BarishDan and Carla Bartellellen BellerBo and lauren BrownsteinBarry and Gay Curtiss-lusherStephen and melissa elken

enstrom CandiesFeldman mortuary, Inc.Rabbi Steven and Senator Joyce FosterGoldberg Kohn ltd.leland HuttnerImprints WholesaleJewish Community Foundationmichael and lani KesslerBuzz and Shelley KrovitzHoward and Blanca lermanAndy and Robyn levyAlan and Peggy mayerRocky and Suzi millerSteven Peckar and mindy levy PeckarJordon and essie PerlmutterThe Rifkin FoundationRichard and michele RightRobinson management CompanyRyley Carlock & Applewhitemeyer and Geri Bader SaltzmanDr. & mrs. Richard and Jo SandersRick Schepis and Rachel GrynbergStephan and Kerry ShelanksiSherman & HowardJorge and Francine TopelsonYana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe

CINEMAToGRAPHERS: $1,000Ken and Sheryl Feilermichael and Debbie FeinerRenee Nachbarmichael and Devra ochsArt SeidenJudy Shinemorey and Joni Troy

Thank you to all our generous sponsors:

Photos: Chris Schneider

THanK yOu for Caring!AlbertsonsAllied Jewish Federation of ColoradoBabies Now FoundationCongregation Bnai ChaimB’nai TorahCASA Advocates for ChildrenCongregation Beth EvergreenCongregation BMH-BJ

Congregation B’nai HavurahCongregation Rodef ShalomDenver Jewish Day SchoolDenver Rescue MissionEkar FarmFood Bank of the RockiesGolden Acre FarmHEA SisterhoodJudaism Your Way

Keller WilliamsKing Soopers – MonacoKing Soopers ReclamationRobinson DairySafewaySHALOM DenversmashburgerSouth Denver Fencing AcademySprouts

Temple EmanuelTemple SinaiTemple Sinai PreschoolWalgreen’sWhole Foods at TamaracWhole Foods at Cherry CreekWolf Slatkin & Madison

IN-KIND DoNATIoNS oCToBER AND NovEMBER 2012

THanK yOu for Caring! Thank you for your generosity! Your support makes our life-transforming work possible.

The following donations reflect tribute gifts received from October 1 to November 30, 2012. Due to space limitations, we are only able to list tribute gifts received during this time, but all contributions are greatly appreciated. Please accept our apologies for any omissions or errors.

WITH GRATITuDE FoR Laura Grushcow Terry Fenner and Dawn RichardGary Lozow Richard and Linda MishkinRuth oliveri Hockman Brent and Maya LynnStephen uslan Brent and Maya Lynn

IN HoNoR oF ANNIvERSARIES David and Myrna Garfield Neil Weiss and Daisy BerlLawrence and Joann Litvak Ron and Joyce Fishman

IN HoNoR oF THE BIRTH oF A BABYBobby and Bea Glick Irene MayerReid Parks Neal and Kathy KimmelGilad Waldbaum Neal and Kathy Kimmel

IN HoNoR oF BIRTHDAYSSally Friedman Grace HorvatBarbara Gilbert Myron and Nancy NeusteterBernard Gottlieb Stanton and Jane E. RosenbaumSamuel Jacobs Larry and Debra JacobsLes Levitt Edward and Elka Haligman Estelle StineBetty Mendelson Trude BershofLola Miller Marc and Rhoda SilvergladeJeffrey Mishell Gary and Janet FriedlandRikki Mor Martin and Marilyn WarrenDrew Shader Judd and Kathleen ShaderMarion Slavsky A. Bregman & Co., Inc.

Arleen Goldstein Philip StahlBernard Steinberg Barnetta MerensteinRiley Sturniolo Edward and Judith RosenthalStephen uslan Brent and Maya Lynn

IN HoNoR oF B’NAI MITZvAHHannah Davidson Dean Prina, M.D.Max Davidson Dean Prina, M.D.

IN HoNoR oF HAPPY CHANNuKAH Gareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman John and Evie Coufal

IN HoNoR oF HAPPY HoLIDAYSHappy Rosh Hashanah Mikhail Kavutskiy and Zoya Kavutskaya

IN HoNoR oFMax and Elaine Appel Adeline LutzKen Bardach Rachael BardachJoel Cohen Brent and Maya LynnLaura Grushcow Stacey WeisbergGareth Heyman and Betsy Mordecai Heyman Samuel and Carol Jonas Martin and Judy Shore Mark and Leslie Sidell The Women’s Foundation of ColoradoHanna Kruger-Posner Joanne Posner-MayerJustin and Cari Levy Susan Sigman Steven Weil Marty and Shira ZimmermanJody Mathie Brent and Maya LynnAlan and Peggy Mayer Irene MayerArthur and Arlene Moss Mandelbaum Family FoundationDoreen osborne Marciana RobertsonMicah Rosenbaum Rabbi Frederick Greenspahn and Barbara Pearl Marty and Melissa Rosenbaum

Lea Schreiber Erin NeversScott and Andrea Stillman Jon and Sheryl GoodmanSidney and Noreen Stillman Jon and Sheryl GoodmanSidney Stillman Bonnie Shore Teichart & Associates, Inc.Francine Topelson Gary and Marsha BlumMaurine Waldbaum Barry and Randie Winograd

IN HoNoR oF THE RECIPIENT oF AN HoNoRLinda Appel Lipsius Terry Fenner and Dawn RichardGail Nussbaum Amgen Foundation The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Terry Fenner and Dawn RichardWarren and Ruth Toltz Penny Berenbaum The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe

IN HoNoR oF voLuNTEER EFFoRTS AT JFSEdward Barad Richard and Linda Mishkin

IN MEMoRY oF Mickey Barter Jeffrey and Sandra BarterDiane Beckoff Lynn Cohen The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Dolores WilliamsJack Bernstein Barbara BernsteinMarvin Bernstein Philip StahlHarold Blitt Lois BlittMartin Boxer Mark and Susie Barter Eileen PriceRose Buchalter Neil Weiss and Daisy Berl Daniel Foss and Carole Kornreich Ben and Robyn Friedman Justin and Sharon Roth Arnold and Marlene Siegel Oscar and Selma SladekJerry Carr Michael and Cynthia Wise

Shirley Cohen David CohenMaurice Drechsler Richard and Doreen NadlerFrank Dubin Dennis and Jo Battock Darcy Beard John and Marjorie Berman Trude Bershof A. Herbert and Myndel Cohen Louis and Nellie Mae Duman Robert Evans Louis and Marian Gelfand Phyllis Goodman Stephen and Celeste Gorden Mackay Gordon Edith Hayutin Sheldon and Elaine Hayutin Randall and Susan Karsh Les and Estelle Levitt Bob and Marilyn Lynn Paul and Phyllis Marcus Julius and Rose Pluss Sherman and Lois Rich Marciana Robertson Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Harold and Dorothy Rosenblatt Nat and Joyce Sachter Leonard and Judy Schiff James and Debbie Shpall The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeGayle Falbaum Jackie and Marvin Cooper Amy ZeppelinFroma Fallik Mark and Susie BarterLynn Finer Karlson Pesia LencznerEvelyn Flaxer Daniel KlaimanMartin Freedman Rocky and Suzi MillerAbraham Friedman Craig and Melanie Eisen Ruth Epstein Ruth Landy Scott and Joanne Newland Hyla Sloane David and Beth Spiegel The Board & Staff of Jewish Family ServiceSally Gelfenbaum David and Beth LippaJoel Goldberger Ida Goldberger Melinda QuiatDavid Goldstein Bob and Rosey Godshaw



David and Annis Gross Mark PogrebinSylvia Grushcow Kevin Cohen and Laura Grushcow Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Stacey WeisbergEstelle Handler Helane Karacuschansky Frank and Debra PiazzaAndrew Hauschild Arnold and Karen SteinMax Heit The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeElizabeth Hermel Antonia ChiesaLeonard Herz Ronald and Roni Brown Bob and Deborah Gallo Elliott and Gloria Husney Mark and Cathlyn Huttner John and Anne Lehigh Mandelbaum Family Foundation Howard Sckolnik Barbara Sidon Arnold and Karen Stein Lynn and Lisa Taussig Ken and Amy VenturiAlen Hirsch Helene HoffmanIrv Hook Jerry and Kathy Berenstein Ronald and Roni Brown Donald and Loretta Cawelti Trevor and Pamela Ferger Michael and Michelle Hepner Pam Naiman Barbara Sidon Michael and Traci Sidon Sit Investment Associates Foundation Smith, Brooks, Bolshoun & CO., L.L.P. Carol Sobel Sandra Vinnik Gaile Weisbly-WaldingerPaul and Dee Isaacson Jeffrey and Sandra BarterBenjamin Kaplan Marvin TyorWilliam and Sylvia Katz Stuart and Marilyn SpinnerZoe Kislowitz Allyn BandellCheryl Kroner Allan and Alberta Sulzer Karen SteinTzvi Lachman Amy ZeppelinBess Lankowitz Cynthia ChapmanMarvin Leff Milton and Linda Brandwein Aaron and Ellen Bregman Ronald and Roni Brown Albert and Janice Dinner Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Jordan and Sheila Ginsburg

Ms. Robyn Stone Hedly Les and Estelle Levitt I. Bernard and Leba Munishor Seymour Rubenstein and Charlene Loup Sheldon and Janice Steinhauser The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Marlene WeinerRuth Levitch Paula LevitchDorinda Levy Randy and Rebecca Davis Ingrid Chang Shelton and Catherine Clark Caleb Fitzpatrick Barbara Goldburg Don and Bonnie Messer Kent Messer Ryan Thornton Robert and Doris Truhlar Peter WohlauerHy and Goldye Lieberman David and Michelle LiebermanJack and Lorraine Lindenbaum Faye LindenbaumMort and Shirley Mock Sherrie BrandonMilford Pepper Melvin and Diane Dinner Ron and Michelle Goss Debra Herz Betty Karsh Rocky and Suzi Miller I. Bernard and Leba Munishor Herbert and Doris Rothenberg Stan and Yvonne StahlFlorene Rodgers Howard and Carol TorgoveEsther Rosen The Board & Staff of Jewish Family ServiceAlec Shapiro Eileen PriceMiriam Sherman Jennifer Atler Fischer Jerry and Kathy Berenstein Theodore and Michele Cooper Louis and Jacqueline Davis Dan and Ginger Dinner Feiner Family Foundation of Colorado Terry Fenner and Dawn Richard Barbara Goldburg Arleen Goldstein Jon and Sheryl Goodman Stephen and Celeste Gorden Ron and Michelle Goss Lisa Herschli Debra Herz Marci Hladik Elliott and Gloria Husney Betty Karsh Donald and Henny Kaufmann Samuel and Cherie Kirschbaum Robert Schwartz and Beth Levy Janet Lopez

Gary and Joyce Lozow Marguerite Oxman Gretchen Perryman Eric and Ellen Pollock Richard and Michele Right Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum Helen Rotbart Justin and Sharon Roth Robert Rottman Linda Schiff Dorothy Schoen Seff Group, P.C. Bonnie Shore Barbara Sidon Hyla Sloane Striker Foundation Lynn and Lisa Taussig Dorothy Thaler The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Stephen and Sherri Weinstein Donald Yale and Jody Epstein Howard and Sherrie ZeppelinReva Sherman Seth and Rivka WeisbergSid and Pearl Shucard Hal and Karen ShucardSharon Siegel Wayne and Kris Brothers Jordan and Sheila Ginsburg Mark and Barbara Goldstein Mark and Johanna Loury Colleen Porterfield Melinda Quiat Arnold and Marlene Siegel Irwin and Barbara Suson The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service The Milestone Group Larry and Bev WhetstoneBenny Silvestain Justin and Sharon Roth The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeSteve Steinberg David Cohen A. Herbert and Myndel Cohen Esther Lustig Bruce and Susan Madison Rocky and Suzi Miller Samuel and Dorothy ParrisSidney Stillman Richard and Linda Albert Feggy Bernstein Marvin and Renee Brilliant Arthur and Ruth Chapman Lawrence and Rhoda CoBen Harvey and Judith Cohen Jim and Marla Diner Alan Freis Gary and Janet Friedland Jerome and Carol Friedman Sheldon and Ellen Friedman Richard Gabriel and Jill Wichlens John and Toni Getz Barbara Goldburg

David and Nina Ickovic Brenda Jacobs Robert and Kathleen Klugman Gary and Joyce Lozow Audrey Friedman Marcus Ronald and Rhoda Resnick Bruce and Nora Schrutt Seff Group, P.C. Robert and Julia Sherry Donald and Arlene Shwayder Anschel and Bernice Tarlie The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim Wolfe Paula Ward Joy Weinstein Gloria Weiss Jack and Sue WitkinClara Swartz Amy ZeppelinJack Weil The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeHoward Weinzimmer Arnold and Karen SteinBluma Wenner Howard and Donna LutzMarshal West Jeffrey and Sandra BarterEthan Wolf AnonymousJaime Zajd Romina ZalcmanMarshall Zullow Rose Goldstein

WITH WISHES FoR A SPEEDY RECovERYMel Brody Jon and Sheryl GoodmanJackie Frazin Gary and Janet Friedland Jon and Sheryl GoodmanDonald Kaufmann Harold and Marilyn Lande The Board & Staff of Jewish Family Service Yana Vishnitsky and Jim WolfeGaspar Perricone Cynthia ChapmanSam Pluss Albert and Janice Dinner Debra HerzSam and Stacey Pluss Melvin and Diane DinnerPatricia Rittenberg Justin and Sharon RothJulie Rubin Kathryn RubinRuth Toltz Alan and Gloria Kris Stanton and Jane E. Rosenbaum

In Kind Donations, page 13

Joyce and Kal Zeff Building3201 South Tamarac DriveDenver Co 80231-4394

ReTuRN SeRVICe ReQueSTeD

tel: 303.597.5000fax: 303.597.7700

www.jewishfamilyservice.org

Beneficiary Agency of Allied Jewish Federationof Colorado and Mile High United Way

NoN PRoFIT oRG.

uS PoSTAGe

PAID

DeNVeR, ColoRADo

PeRmIT No. 1217JeWISH FAmIlY SeRVICe oF ColoRADo

www.jewishfamilyservice.org/luncheon

A Lunch. An Inspiration. JFS EXECUTIVE LUNCHEON

Wednesday, April 24, 2013Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center

Featuring keynote speaker, Mandy Patinkin, Emmy and Tony award-winning singer and actor of stage and screen.

Currently starring in Showtime’s Homeland mini-series.

Since 1982, Jewish Family Service has operated a kosher Jewish group home in southeast Denver for adults with developmental disabilities. It is a beautiful, well-maintained home that provides a warm Jewish family environment with services geared to help residents live as independently as possible. The group home accommodates eight residents, ages 21 and up, with developmental disabilities who are supported by a dedicated pro-fessional staff. The home currently has an opening. For more information about our group home services and resident eligibility, please contact Sara leeper, coordinator of client services at Jewish Family Service’s SHAlom Denver program, at 303.623.0251, or [email protected].

Vacancy at JFS GROuP HOmE

Group Home resident Lee Rabin at a Shabbat dinner

Documents

January/February 2013 Family Matters Newsletter